The Chicago Blackhawks logo is a representation of Chief Black Hawk, a former leader of the Sauk tribe in Illinois. The legacy of the chief was honored by the Hawks founder and first owner, Maj. Frederic B. McLaughlin.
In 1926, he relocated the WHL’s Portland Rosebuds to his hometown of Chicago with an idea for a hockey team he didn’t expect to own. He named the team after the Blackhawk Division he served within the U.S Army in World War I. Thus, the Hawks were born.
Six Stanley Cups, 63 playoff appearances, 48 Hockey Hall of Famers and the Patrick Kane-Jonathan Toews era followed. For the Hawks, 100 is more than a number.
A franchise that lasts 100 years? Only a handful can reach that pinnacle. It’s only right to celebrate.
“Obviously, we weren’t there (when it started), so this is a pretty big deal,” fan Karen Tucci, wearing Kane’s No. 88, said. “We’re lucky to be here, in my opinion.”
Before the Hawks’ home opener Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens at the United Center, Madison Street was closed off to traffic but open to the grand centennial red-carpet celebration. Fans watched as the current roster, longtime broadcasters and more than 50 Hawks alumni appeared.
Corey Crawford, Brian Campbell, Adam Burish, Chris Chelios, Eddie Olczyk, Jeremy Roenick, Denis Savard were among those present. A dapper Connor Bedard walked out with a smile as hundreds of fans sporting his sweater cheered him on. He was the most popular pick of fans, but others wanted to see the legends too.
“He’s the Michael Jordan of hockey,” Abigail Ekstrom said of Bedard at the top of the red carpet.
Added Gayle Ekstrom: “I used to watch with my dad in the ’60s back in the days of Bobby Hull, Keith Magnuson, Stan Mikita, the classic players. I wasn’t paying that much attention to hockey (for) some years and came to a game a couple of years ago and was hooked.”
If you needed a reminder of Hawks history, you didn’t have to look far. The red sweaters in the crowd had numbers as early as Savard’s No. 18 and as new as Frank Nazar’s No. 91 and Spencer Knight’s No. 30.
John Ritondale, 57, was heading to the Billy Goat Tavern after getting a look at the red-carpet setup. He has been supporting the Hawks since he was 10, so it was nice little peek of the history he has followed for four decades. Wearing a signed Roenick sweater, it didn’t take long for him to share his favorite Hawks memory.
“Jeremy Roenick’s last goal in the building,” Ritondale said.
In the 1994 Western Conference quarterfinals, the Hawks were in a Game 4 battle with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Down 2-1 in the series, the home team needed a win to ensure one more game at Chicago Stadium.
Roenick caught a pass that bounced off a Leafs player’s skate and launched the puck into the back of the net for the overtime winner. The Hawks were shut out in Game 6, meaning the Roenick goal was the Hawks’ final one in Chicago Stadium before the team’s move to the United Center.
Other fans’ favorite moments varied — drafting Bedard and the Stanley Cup wins among them. Some had nights that hit on a personal level.
“We rented one of the suites way up in the rafters, it’s a really good memory,” Gayle Ekstrom said. “It was the night where they retired (Marian) Hossa’s number and my husband’s happy birthday greeting was on the jumbotron.”
The Hawks faithful have noticed a spark in their team during the first year under coach Jeff Blashill. The Hawks went toe-to-toe with the defending champion Florida Panthers in the season-opening loss, then fell in overtime to a quality Boston Bruins team.
“We’ve had two really good games so far where we came very close to winning,” Tucci said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how this new coach brings it all together.”
Right before the opening puck drop, a video played on the scoreboard showcasing different moments of the Hawks’ history. Lights in the crowd illuminated as the memories were revisited. Retired Hawks commentator Pat Foley hosted the pregame ceremony for the team he was the voice of for 39 years.
The current players watched as the centennial-season banner rose to the United Center rafters. It’s in the middle of the six Stanley Cup banners.
One hundred years down, many more to come.
“It’s the best and fastest game on earth, it’s a great game to watch,” Ritondale said. “Chicago has the best fans.”